Panda's First Smile

Panda's First Smile
PandaPig's First Smile!

Friday, January 17, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

 
(So sorry, Vinny-Guinea, left your pic out - EEK!)

~*~

Dear Friends, Happy New Year to each and
every one of you! We know that some of you
are facing the toughest challenges of your lives
at this time and we are praying for you.


For some reason, BLOGGER does not work.
So here's an update on The Kidz since a few of
you have lovingly asked how we're doing, should
I tell the truth? I will.

While in hospital the Pigz became so ill we
thought we would lose them all, but today
they are happily running about the floor,
enjoying life, and only Peter-Peanut remains
ill with heart disease for which he is on much
medication but no longer has to be wrapped up
in a "Guinea Burrito" since his meds TASTE so darn
good POI just squirts 'em right into his mouth
through his habitat hoping for "rapid extraction" (trying to 
retract it) before The PeaNUT chomps down, 
actually snatching the thin, plastic syringe - wanting to eat it!
Today Peter-Peanut feels healthy again, and happy, 
what a fat, funny, fine boy-pig he is!
I took photos (that i can't figure out how to post, sorry)
 of The "Guinea Burritos" (maybe we don't want to remember
those dark days?) but wish we could show you 
Squirrel's Red Castle, wherein he hoards
so many toys and mini-hay bales and what-nots
we can't figure out how he sleeps in it, particularly
since he daily knocks it askew at the funniest
angle before lying down on "his treasures" for
naps…he and all the piggies individually 
redecorate their habitat areas so hysterically 
funny I really hoped to share pics but my 'puter
needs to get in the shop first, so just imagine 
 pigs every morning setting out to undo their
organized, clean homes into completely JOYOUS
CHAOS!!! They keep me laughing.

The truth? The post following this one is my 
favorite song, our anthem, Beyonce singing
 at a very special event hosted by the United Nations, 
"I Was Here,"
because I've gotten sicker and being  
"shut-in" - so not me - makes me wonder…do i matter?
Yes, I am struggling to find
hope and meaning in a life i no longer understand.

We hope to move into a "real apartment" in a 
nice, residential, quiet, safe, tree-filled
neighborhood in about 6 weeks and my friend
already there says it'll really boost our spirits!
 My immune system broke and the doctors aren't sure 
yet how to treat four refractory infections and a
minor surgery scheduled, I am down to 107 lbs.
and losing about a pound a day, in a lot of pain,
then start counting our blessings and none of
it matters! Many of YOU have a son, brother, wife,
friend you may lose and are yourselves dealing with hardships,
 so I can't complain just wanted to be honest:
As strength wanes, how can Life Be Meaningful?
How to make a difference?
I felt Beyonce's performance at the United Nations
answered this yearning for Purpose: It's the Little Things.
Do a Little Thing. It isn't Little to the creature,
friend, or stranger who receives it.
Leave footprints in the sand.
Please try to enjoy it full screen, it's simply remarkable.
(P.S. Rashmi in India, you knew this was our anthem
and we love you for it! But, how - of all the songs in
the Universe - you knew ours was THIS ONE?!
YOU AMAZE.)
~*~
Chai's kitty gal-pal, Sami, now sleeps where he
used to with the piggies and cries 
every day for him, her grief continuing -
but the piggies cheer her up! Especially
watching Squirrel's hilarious daily obsessive-compulsive "EVERYTHING MUST BE EXACTLY PERFECT IN MY CAGE BUT NOT HOW MOM PUT IT, IT HAS TO BE ASKEW AND ODD, AND MY WAY, THE BEST WAY, SQUIRREL'S WAY!"AND BE NEAT (his version of it) every day as he rearranges everything entirely with his top-notchy-snout
and fluffy soft Squirrel-rump!

We are Here. Blogger Broke. So, it may be awhile before we can post again. Hope we're back better than ever real soon. Meanwhile, If a guinea pig smiles being skritchy-scratched in just the right spot, scampers about on a Happy Runabout, or eagerly snatches the soft round cardboard from an old roll of toilet paper before (How'd ya guess Squirrel?) pounding it up and down with all his might in a Guinea-Frenzy of JOY, then We Were Here. 
(And we need a new roll of toilet paper. See, don't get out much!)

 What I love about Beyonce's
song in the presentation you are about to
enjoy on the next post is that we can find ways
to matter, and we can make a difference, and
our lives will mean something, no matter how
large or small, if we Give, if we Hope,
if we Smile, if we can make someone laugh;
if a guinea pig who never knew love enjoys tons of
love now, and even comforts a grieving kitty 
who just lost her best friend,
We Were Here.

Don't know when we'll be back.

Soooo…..

To each and every one of you who cares about
all of us and have given so much of yourselves,
 we will keep fighting the good fight!

In BEAST MODE:
Thanks, Marshawn Lynch, you
inspire us.
Go Seahawks!
Posted by Picasa

10 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Chana! You are in my prayers, right there with Michael.

    You look like a little kid in that photo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ms. A, believe it or not, you and Michael are my Inspirations! It's true…you gave me the courage to tell the truth, you have endured what no family should ever have to, and you've done it with such dignity. I remembered this week a long time ago when I was just starting this blog you offering to mentor me so I could develop a readership. I couldn't understand what difference it made who read the blog but you said it was important and wanted me to succeed. After that second round of hearts and "thumbs up" appeared on your blog I couldn't comment because I was crying…how many people Michael will never meet love him, and you, and it was THEN I finally understood the wisdom you were trying to impart…I just burst out in tears seeing SO MUCH LOVE, so much goodness in this world that so many think there is so much WRONG WITH…well, your blogging has proven how wrong that is, Ms. A, journeying with you and Michael - and God love him, who could go so long without being able to move, waiting for a heart transplant - journeying with you and Michael gave me faith in the goodness of people; all those families, their pets, even! I cried, there was nothing to say, which is why I'm saying it now…your blog has changed my life. (For anyone interested in Ms. A's blog it has ALWAYS appeared as "Sarcastic Granny" under "My Blog List" and it always will. Read it, y'all, and pray for Michael, her son, waiting for a heart to live again. You really do inspire me, put things into perspective, have changed my priorities about what's really important in life, and have caused so many to feel love for a mother and her son they will never meet yet never stop caring about again. I owe ya, Ms. A, you were right all along. God Bless you and yours, his heart will come, I still have faith and always will. And I feel like a silly kid…looking at all the little Seahawks playing outside my window for their chance to compete in the Super Bowl…and can't wait to MOVE! LOVE YOU:)
    AND THANK YOU...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, my dearest Chana. I don't know what else to say other than your life WILL change so very VERY much for the better six weeks from now when you move to this quiet, treed, residential neighborhood and you will have a brand spanking new apartment with all the amenities that a woman like you SHOULD have! Balcony, washer & dryer, spacious closets, lovely spacious bathroom and kitchen, etc. etc. PLUS, and this is a very BIG plus for me...you will be MY NEIGHBOR!! YAY! :-D I'm psyched. I know that there will be multitudes of hoops to jump through between now and then, but you can make it and I will help as much as I am able. I'm just so very excited for you. You will be amazed at how much energy you will recoup as a result of being away from the noisy abode that you now inhabit. It will amaze you. It amazed me.

    Now, we just have to get some food into you so you don't lose any more weight! You need to have your strength for all that is ahead. Get those protein shakes going my dear!

    Much love to you.
    Even though Mr. Dom no longer is alive, I will always consider myself as DommyDomsMom

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear DommyDomsMom, may I with every reader here extend my heartfelt condolences on the recent loss of your precious Dominic. Yesterday his ashes arrived. Chai's arrived not long ago, and it was just a few weeks ago we all hung out together in YOUR new "digs," Dom staring at me as only an Italian Greyhound could, waiting to eat the sweet potato you made me from out of my mouth! And yes, we will be neighbors! Yours are the only lattes in the world that don't set my stomach on fire and weren't we thinking of joining the roller-derby together just for "shits & giggles" or Watch it? I forget…I could see us doing roller-derby. Which is why I need you to be my "voice of reason!!!" and my friend. My MOD friend!
      Ann, for all you have done and continue doing in the midst of your own illness and grief I have no words except wouldn't we look cool in roller-derby uniforms dressed like Zombie Girl Scouts?!
      (it may be past my bedtime, love you:))))

      Delete
    2. Well, I don't think we'd be able to join a roller derby team as part of the Rat City Roller Derby League in the Seattle area. The age cut off is 17! I think we passed that a while ago, right? I still want to go see them do their thing however some day. Whadda ya think? Huh, huh, huh??? I'm sure there are other leagues in the area that have older women but I don't know who they are. I think that maybe YOU would look cool in a roller derby uniform, however, I am a whole different can of worms so-to-speak. I have a few more years of wear and tear on my body and a LOT more flabby muscles. I think that a short skirt or tight fitting shorts (or whatever it is they wear) on me would be scary!

      I can hardly wait for you to be here in the building next door. We'll be able to sip lattes and watch the old episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Yay! I'm looking forward to some fun times soon!

      ((( Hugs & Love to you too! )))

      Delete
  4. Sooo happy to see this update. Soooo happy that you will be moving near your friend. (Sorry about Dommy) I too have learned so much from all who post, about the fragility and strength of life. I'm happy to join and be joined on the journey. My hand and heart stretches through the miles to hold your hands in the wait for health. God Bless you Chana and Ms. A., Michael and all the MODs who struggle, yet fight. Ever forward!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Marifun, YOU are the inspiration behind this blog post, so this comment means the world to me, thank you! I still can't believe…a barn owl named Molly…has changed so many lives, has gifted so many friendships, so much caring, a safe place to share, allow ourselves to become vulnerable knowing we are amongst MODS who only love us, a place where Hope, Happiness, and Laughter have continued long after the owlets fledged? And YOU just had your own health challenge and share that you are walking and how grateful I feel that you choose to walk with us here, in these times, through so many challenges that we will endure because WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS, we have each other, what more could anyone ask for? Your emails and eCards, love and concern inspired my half-baked brain to post this blog - because you and Ms. A and DommyDomsMom and CD3 and Silent Lucy the Lurker (yes, I know you're out there - HUGS!) have kept me from feeling alone and I, too, continue learning from you all about not only the fragility and strength of life - but that of true Friendship, as well. God Bless, we are SO GRATEFUL! (((MODS))) ~ still together and crazy after all these years: Thanks, Molly!

      Delete
  5. So good to finally get some news. I have been thinking of you all, & praying all was well. Hope your move gives you some peace, and beauty. The girls send wheeeeks , giggles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH CD3, we soooo miss your "Piggee, PIGEEEEEE!" phone squeals! You cracked me UP! (or widened the pre-existing cracks, hard to tell, ya know) but you also were part of the inspiration behind this post because i heard how much you care about us through the grapevine, that you wondered how the piggies were doing and wanted the Girls to know the BOYZ ARE BACK IN TOWN! How are your lil'darlings? Oh, and you did not leave out a word, Girlfriend, you did include GIGGLES and thank you for your prayers don't thing for a minute i ever stopped feeling your love. But the boys really, really do want to get their…oops! Definitely bedtime. The boys send their respectful greetings to both your girls (WAH-HA-HA! JUST DON'T ASK WHAT THEIR DEFINITION OF "RESPECTFUL" IS!) They are doing great. Hope you and yours are, too, always in our hearts (((PigEEEEEEEEZ!))) LOVE YOU ~

      Delete
  6. and giggles....left out a word.

    ReplyDelete